Jesus Heals a Blind Man

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:6-7

Recently I started providing food for my local feathered friends. As the word spread around the neighborhood, I began having visitors of many colors adorn my deck. As I sat with my morning coffee and savored the beauty of God’s creation in our colorful friends, I considered how wonderful a gift from God our sight is. In the story of Jesus healing a blind man, the man  illustrates that those who are blind often see clearly, while those with sight see nothing at all.

It is interesting to see the different reactions to Jesus and the healed blind man. Starting with the disciples questioning God about the cause of the man’s blindness. Asking if it was his sin or his parents’ sin that was to blame.

God’s answer is not what they expected—neither. This man’s birth defect was a tool that would bring glory to God. I wonder what the blind man believed about his blindness and the sin he assumed caused it? His faith must have grown in the moment Christ absolved him of this unknown sin and even in right before the disciples eyes.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the faith to believe in miracles.

 The man’s neighbors respond by saying, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?“ Some claimed he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” Why were the neighbors skeptical and not sure of their own sight?

The Pharisees were unbelieving, angry, and hateful. They conducted investigations and accused Jesus of not being from God (vs 16). Their jealous hatred of Jesus‘ popularity and power caused them to focus on the law rather than love.

The parents believed but were afraid to stand behind the miracle. They saw the fear of ex-communication as a greater concern than faith in Jesus.

The man was the only one who saw clearly. He never understood how mud and water healed him, but he knew Jesus. He believed and had faith. When asked by Jesus, “Do you believe in the Son of Man? “He responds with, “Lord, I believe. “

We have to stop letting our skepticism, legalism and fear blind us to our surety, love, and faith.

So, how can we improve our spiritual eyesight? The longer we walk with God, the better we know Him. The more time we spend with Him, the easier it is to trust Him. In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter tells us to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.“ The better we know Jesus, the better our eyesight is.

Heavenly Father, I want to be like the blind man and have perfect vision. Please help me have more faith in you. Encourage me to spend more time in your Word, getting to know you better each day. Amen.

Relevant Bible Verses

2 Peter 3:18 –  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

John 11:4 – When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Reflect and Respond

Why do you think Jesus made mud and had the man wash instead of healing him instantly?

Whose reaction do you relate to the most? The neighbors, the Pharisees, the parents, or the blind man?

Respond in prayer by asking God to strengthen your faith so you can say as the blind man did, “Lord, I believe.”